What does going heeled mean in old west?

"Going heeled" in the Old West meant carrying a firearm, specifically a pistol. It's a term that references the way cowboys would often carry their pistols in a holster strapped to their boot heel.

Here's a breakdown:

* Heels: The back part of a boot.

* Going heeled: Implies having a pistol secured to the heel of the boot.

* Significance: In the Old West, carrying a firearm was essential for self-defense and survival. It was common practice, and "going heeled" indicated preparedness and a certain level of toughness.

So, if someone said they were "going heeled," it meant they were armed and ready for whatever might come their way.